Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary

A Better Plan 

Hebrews 11:36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (NKJV)

 

The early Eastern Church (Dionysius and Clement, both of Alexandria), from the second century, claimed Paul was the writer of Hebrews. The Western Church later agreed.

Luke translated the letter to the Hebrews into Greek, according to Clement in the second century. Luke was with Paul during his second Roman imprisonment and was his amanuensis during Paul’s final days (2 Timothy 4:11).

It is likely that Luke was also Paul’s amanuensis for this letter. My conclusion is that this was Paul’s last writing, written in late 67-early 68 A.D.

In this letter, Paul is writing to Hebrews who have converted to Christianity from Judaism. Family and friends are likely pressuring them to return to Judaism, so Paul is writing to these Hebrew Christians to encourage them to remain steadfast in their faith and not to return to Judaism.

This chapter, Hebrews eleven, is known as the faith chapter. Paul runs chronologically through history and identifies those who are included in God’s “Hall of Faith”.

Those recognized for their faith previously in this chapter are Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah (Abraham’s wife), Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ parents (Amram and Jochebed), Moses, the Israelites of the Exodus, Joshua and the Israelites that God used to bring down the walls of Jericho, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets.

In this final passage of chapter eleven Paul completes his recognition of the great men and women of faith in God. Here, he gives descriptions of their sacrifices for God, but not the names of these individuals. We can ascertain some of the faithful even though their names are not given.

Paul begins by writing “Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment” (v. 36). We know that Jeremiah “faced jeers and flogging” (v. 36a). He was known as the weeping prophet because of the persecution and frustration that he endured during his ministry.

We know that Joseph and Paul, himself, were chained and put in prison (v. 36b). Some of the other apostles also endured these sacrifices for their faith.

Next, Paul writes “They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—” (v. 37). Zechariah (Mt. 23:35) was stoned (v. 37a), as were some of the apostles. Isaiah was “sawed in two” by Manasseh (v. 37b), according to tradition.

Others, like Uriah (Jer. 26:23) “killed by the sword” (v. 37c). There were mass slaughters by the sword of faithful Hebrews in the times of the Maccabees. Some of the apostles were beheaded for their faith.

Those who maintained their faith in God lived a life of frugality and were “destitute, persecuted and mistreated” (v. 37d) because they would not recant and deny their Lord. This description could apply to all of the first century Christians.

Paul continues with “the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground” (v. 38). Prophets and apostles alike suffered the persecution of the world.

The world proclaimed that they were not worthy. But, in reality, “the world was not worthy of them” (v. 38a).

The faithful were forced to wander the “deserts and mountains” (v. 38b), and hide in “caves and holes in the ground” (v. 38c). Elijah was forced to wander in the desert and hide in a cave, where he heard that still, small, voice of God, a reward for his faithfulness (1 Kgs. 19).

David was forced by King Saul to roam the wilderness and to hide in the cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22). Moses was exiled to the desert.

Next, Paul writes “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised” (v. 39). All of these people were “commended for their faith” (v. 39a) by God.

However, “none of them received what had been promised” (v. 39b). None of these great people of faith lived to see what God had promised or to see the Messiah rule on earth.

Paul completes this chapter on faith by writing “since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (v. 40). God has a “better” (v. 40a) plan.

His plan is that “only together with us would they be made perfect” (v. 40b). We will all be made perfect when we are all together in Heaven.

In summary, all of the great men and women of faith referred to in this chapter have been recognized by God. They all have been included in what we might call God’s Hall of Faith.

Their faith has placed them in God’s favor. But, none received the promises of God that they sought in their lifetimes.

That is not God’s plan. God’s promises, and our ultimate rewards, are received in Heaven.

However, we do receive blessings and rewards on this earth for our faithfulness. When we are faithful God blesses us.

We are rewarded, on earth, for our faithfulness. Our blessing may be our family, or our church.

Or, our reward may be nothing more than knowing that we are walking in God’s will for our lives. When we walk with God we are rewarded with his peace, and joy.

We are given His wisdom, his insights. We see things as He sees them. We understand our purpose, our place in life.

Yes, we will be persecuted for our faith, to one degree or the other. But the rewards far outweigh any persecution we may encounter.

God’s plan for us is far better than the world’s plan for us. His plan is a better plan, perfect and eternal.